Question
Okay.  I checked the tag and it says "QF 056 COLM. Cherry Pop.  All of the plants that are "wrinkling" are this same variety...I hope that helps...  And Thanks very much...
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Followup To

Question -
I am taking care of about 15 orchids for a friend who is moving. There are about 3 larger orchids that have the same problem; the "base" is wrinkled.  These were all outside for about 2 1/2 months. I can't get a hold of my friend and am worried that they may die.  The leaves are still green and don't appear damaged.  The "wrinkling" started while they were outside.  I was out of town for 1 month and my neighbor watered all of the plants.  These are the only ones with wrinkling...  Help...I would like to have them still living when the owner comes back.

Answer -
Hello Liz,

That is nice of you to help care for your friends orchids until they can get them after completing their move.  

Do you know what type of orchids are with the wrinkling base?  Without knowing what type they are, it is difficult to say what you should do.  If there is a plastic tag in the pot or a label on the pot, can yoou read the name?  If so, write back with them and I can help you with them.  

One thing I can say is that the wrinkling may be due to having been overwatering while you were away for a month.  But that is another thing I'll discuss after you write back.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.

Answer
Hi Liz,

Thanks for checking on the name tag, it helps a lot.  

QF 056 is probably the growers code for the plant, the important information is the Colm. Cherry Pop.  Colm. is short for Colmanara which is an inter-generic hybrid of Miltonia, Odontoglossum and Oncidium.  While these are different species of orchids, they belong to the same family of orchids - sort of like cousins.  

Now to your original questions.  Wrinkling of the pseudobulbs (the fattened basal growth) is probably due to a lack of water uptake by the roots.  When you returned, did they look like they had been watered regularly or were they pretty dry?  If watered regularly, how often?  If they were watered too frequently (every few days), it may be that the roots have rotted and therefore unable to take up any water.  If they were not watered or watered once or twice over the month you were gone, they may have become too dry.  Both too much or too little water can cause wrinkled bulbs.  

Some thing to look for in the coming months.  New leaves may emerge looking crumpled or like an accordian.  Unfortunately, the leaves will not straighten out and remain that way.  

As for what to do, here are some hints.  Grow them in bright indirect sunlight with maybe several hours of direct early morning sunlight.  Temperatures between 50 to 85 F, humidity above 50% and some light air movement.  Water when the potting mix becomes barely moist, I usually lift the pot and if it feels light I water the next morning but if it still feels a little heavy I wait a few more days.  

I hope the other orchids are still doing fine.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.